About Messiah College

Founded in 1909, Messiah College. is a Private college. Located in Pennsylvania, which is a city setting in Pennsylvania, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 2,788 full time undergraduate students, and 517 full time graduate students.

The Messiah College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 13:1. There are 189 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Messiah College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate79%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range1020-1270
ACT Range22-29

Admissions at are considered Less Selective, with ,59% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 26 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

89% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 66% were in the top quarter, and 34% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Messiah College.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
32%
“We know about current events and vote”
64%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
4%
“Sometimes, but not often”
53%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
40%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
6%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
91%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
43%
“We bought the gear”
51%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
2%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
34%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
70%
“They”re always available”
98%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
57%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
40%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
2%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
45%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
53%
“There might be people who do”
2%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
32%
“We know about current events and vote”
64%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
4%
“Sometimes, but not often”
53%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
40%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
6%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
91%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
43%
“We bought the gear”
51%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
2%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
34%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
70%
“They”re always available”
98%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
57%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
40%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
2%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
45%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
53%
“There might be people who do”
2%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    155 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    105 Students rated off-campus housing 2.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    157 Students rated campus food 3.6 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    161 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    161 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 65 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    160 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    160 Students rated local services 3.4 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    161 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

Messiah College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Messiah College?

60 Students rated Messiah College

Alexandra - 07/25/2024

When I attended Messiah College online, I found the academics, professors, and course structures to be excellent. Being my first college coursework experience (dual-enrollment class and visit), I believe Messiah gave me a great introduction to how college will be over the course of the next four years. I did enjoy my visit to campus and would recommend this college to anyone who is looking for a smaller, yet still academically-sound college experience. It is great if you would like to have a more 1:1 relationship with your classmates, and be able to work with your professors and pick their brain more often.

Sarah - 03/25/2024

Messiah University (formerly known as Messiah College) is a place that I would recommend. Overall, my experience at this college was great. I enjoyed the courses, professors, clubs, activities, and memories that Messiah provided me with. I can say for sure that I've graduated a different person than when I started. I've grown spiritually, emotionally, academically, socially, and professionally during my time at Messiah. I appreciate the support I received from the University for a successful educational career. I hope to give back to Messiah financially in the future as a way of showing my gratitude.

Heidi - 05/15/2023

I was looking for a college where I could learn more than just academic information. I wanted to build my faith, learn in community and conversation with others, and build life skills and independence in a safe place that encourages me to grow in maturity. I have found Messiah (now University) to be a place that does all of these things. Messiah provides numerous opportunities and encouragement for students to participate in positive on-campus events, build long-lasting friendships both in and outside of class, and form mentoring relationships with professors and other faculty members. Messiah is a no-alcohol, no-drug campus and encourages students to make lifestyle commitments that adhere to a positive campus culture. Through attending chapel and participating in general education requirement courses, students learn about Messiah's culture, and for the most part are respective and supportive of the safe campus culture. I have found my time at Messiah to be challenging in all the right ways, and encouraging to my faith and friendships. I have grown to understand myself and my passions in my two years as an undergraduate student. I have already had so many opportunities for service, travel, leadership, personal growth, professional networking, on campus work experience, and so much more!

Micah - 04/23/2023

I have a deep and personal hatred for this school. The words I would have to use to describe my feelings to their fullest extent could not be repeated in polite company. This school is portrayed, and most people know it, as a conservative Christian school. It is not! It is an Anabaptist college that tries to jam its twisted teachings into every lecture. They also do not encourage religious discourse. I actually had a friend removed from a class when he called the professor's religious ramblings heretical. You are required to attend an inordinate amount of chapels or be failed. . These chapels would be bearable if they were just like a church worship service. They are more like condescending lectures around whatever the social issue de jure where you will be made to feel like you are the problem, especially if you are white. They love bringing in racial speakers to talk about how white people are the problem, which is ironic given the demographics. But, lets say you agree with or are unbothered by a college run by judgmental heretical hypocrites. What about the college education itself. My engineering classes were tolerable and of a sufficient standard for an undergrad level, when the topic didn't randomly drift to religion. I had attended other colleges by this point, so I can say the standard of education was unremarkably average. Not terrible, but not amazing. Housing was nothing special and everything worked, but the dorms were rather crowded and RA's were extremely unhelpful. Privacy was a rare commodity. And the college is in the middle of nowhere, so unless you have a car on campus, you are not going to be able to go anywhere fun. But be sure not to drink, even if you are of age off campus, or be punished. That is one of the many stupid and arbitrary rules these authoritarian nuts have at this school. And lastly, the food is awful! I got food poisoning so many times. I worked in the dining hall as a part time job, so I can say with certainty the food is not of sufficient quality. This school is an overpriced hell hole where critical thinking and faith go to do. Save your time and money and go literally anywhere else.

Messiah College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Messiah College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Messiah College is 79%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would have to tell myself to be more trusting and caring of others. I get to distracted by things that ultimately don't matter, I would tell myself to let things go.

    Read all 134 answers

  3. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Usually has a very chill and laidback environment. Not much of any drug use, and most students are very commited to their faith. Very supportave environment (usually).

    Read all 28 answers

  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Messiah is a open, welcoming community of students, professors, and faculty whose main desire is to help you to grow closer to God and your independant life in society by helping you to discover God's plan for your life.

    Read all 27 answers

  5. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    A person who wants a large school, or to be in a place where there are lots of things to do off campus. Also anyone who does not have the basic foundational beliefs of Christianity like the college because you have to sign a statement of faith.

    Read all 26 answers

  6. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    By placing academics in a Christian perspective, you are able to see how studying is a way of glorifying God and focus your career towards His glory.

    Read all 25 answers

  7. Describe the students at your school.

    Students here are very service oriented, williing to help and very likely to succeed

    Read all 24 answers

  8. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I would have known not to sell my books back to the bookstore, because they do not pay you near what the books are worth.

    Read all 24 answers

  9. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Because it is a private college the tuition is very expensive compared to other schools.

    Read all 23 answers

  10. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about Messiah is that there isn't very much diversity

    Read all 23 answers

  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Any person who is interested in strengthening maturity in every crevice of his or her lives. No matter your background you will feel accepted by students and professors alike.

    Read all 22 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    The professors. They really care about their students and are not afriad to show it.

    Read all 21 answers

  13. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Messiah College is best known for its strong academic programs and successful interns.

    Read all 14 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    The best thing about Messiah i think is the location of the campus, in the middle of no where.. there always something going on campus with different clubs. The cool thing is Harrisburg is only 25 min away, Philly is only two hours away and NYC about two hrs as well. DC is only hour and alf away so... The size of the school is perfect under 3000 students. I have great reactions for those who knows the school. I spent a lot of times at my dorms, hanging out with students, working on different projects helping out in the community. The administration is great when you face them. Speak your mind at MC. I think Messiah is now afraid of loosing a lot of their credits so they are doing anything they can do to adjust and please the student body. In the same token they are trying to protect their values which they have been pretty successful at. They keep their mandatory chapel policies, strict visitation hours, no alcohol on campus. I think they school take pride in where they are going and how they are getting there, again a female president is awesome. I had better experience with the previous president than the current one, but i hear great things about her and i hang out with her a few times. She is super cool! My best experience at MC is my first semester if it was not for great faculties and students i would probably quit college. it was hard for me, one of my prof took me to watch a baseball game for the first time ever in the state. Students complains about visitation hours, mandatory chapels... Unusual...? can't think of any.. I have to say last this school is one of the top well known to send their students to study abroad and mission work. They sent you to the top universities around the world, i am talking about Oxford in England, Science Po in Strasbourg, France, to name a couple; i study in France and it was the best experience of my life. I was able to find my voice for human rights, politics and photography while studying in France.

    Read all 3 answers

  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    This is where the action take place, some professors still pray at MC, a very very few still do. They know you by names, they open their doors, some even take you to their home for party and discussions, they listen to how they can help you reach your goal. They adjust to what fashion of learning will suit you the best. However, they will not put that on the table you have to fight for it. Let them know how you are different and how can they help you reach your goal. Intellectual conversations depends on who you hang out with. students speak their mind as you challenge them for sure. It was always intellectual for me, because i force them too. I love all my classes in photography, my professors challenge me after he told me to change my project that i did not have what it takes to deliver it at the end. I love challenge so I keep up and prove him wrong. I have to say the art department at MC is the most challenge and brutal.. they will not take crap from you. they will destroy inside and out so the best can come out of you. :) it works for me. The French department on campus is ok However, the fact that they can sent you to France to study that is the best ever. You can learn with the best. I study at the second best Sciences Po in France which was in Strasbourg, France. I was challenge and took classes in Law, Politics, Theology, Philosophy and many more. The Communication department is ok, I think they can use more help. They are making great progress but they need to do more.. for Instance they have Kirsten Snow works for them which is the Ed Rendell assistant, they should keep her on staff as much as they can, but not the case. My education at MC allows me to open my own vision and dream. A year before graduation I was able to open my own photography business. I now do weddings, fashion, commercial, pregnancy and sports, here is my site www.TOUSSAINTphotography.Com They challenge to think outside the box and create your own visions when things don't work out. Maybe it was me i don't know. Their academics requirement is pretty tough for some professors.

    Read all 2 answers

  16. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    It is a very conservative school. We have straight rules when it comes to protect our faith and values. The issue of race is pretty intense and talk about a lot on campus. They are super awesome with sports such as soccer woman and man, field hockey, basket-ball, Tennis to name a few.

    Read all 1 answers

  17. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    WOW this campus is loaded with outside activities your head will turn, you name the field that you want to be involve and they will make it happen.I was involve for a little with the international club, the service trip, the sports club, the theater club.. this is one of the best way to meet friends, working in the same club helps a lot. The dating scene is great up there, students are not afraid to show their love in public, they respect each other, i think the party scene could have been more. you have to go off campus to have great fun, but they are a lot of small club that meets in regular basis to chill and have a good time.. on Saturday at the student union there is something always going on with music..we have a $1 movie at the school theater for the weekend. The campus is pretty so if they weather is nice at 2am you can always go for a walk or play indoor sports, we have a student cafe where you can hang out till you are drop dead. Traditions the nursing school will jump into the creek with their uniforms on, during the spring all the seniors will fight against the first year student on a war battle. They meet on a field they make weapons out of duck tape and cardboard whatever you can make and they fight till they have no more weapons left ... just look up Messiah duck tape war on youtube, you can see for yourself! it is pretty fun.. we have an Acclamation dance which is huge, we have the spring flying where you dress up off campus and take a girl out.. it is very high scale.. it is a perfect place to walk out with a girl if you ever happen to be single ...we have the same thing in the fall...In the past two I have been going back on campus to do free engagement shoot.. it is getting big because of the percentage of students who do get married right after college...Off campus we are out and be ourselves...

    Read all 1 answers

  18. Tell us about your professors.

    The professors are nice. They are easy to go up to for questions or just to have lunch with.

    Read all 1 answers

  19. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    I have to say the school is indeed strict with their faith belief, however during my five years on campus, I have seen a lot of great change. We have a new and first female president Kim Phipps. She is really open to listen to the students. They welcome challenges from the students body. The race issues is definitely there, from what i hear, but speaking for myself I never face any race issue at all on campus. So the school stereotype as far as race and faith core values has been really open in the few years. They even brought a well known gay group on campus to talk about the issue. The most stereotype is when you get on campus you will hear about the "Ring by Spring on my tuition back." Students will expect to find their mates by graduation. I would love to say it is not true, but the fact can speak for itself :) There is some great truth into... The percentage of the students who get married is pretty decent. In the same token the divorce rate is also high among them.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

61%

female

39%

male

2,788

Total Undergrad Enrollment

517

Total Grad Students

34%

Out-Of-State

62%

In-State

4%

International

Organizations

81

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

80%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
81%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Messiah College receive some sort of financial aid. 24% were awarded federal grants. While 64% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$33,180

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,280

Books and Supplies

$9,920

Room and Board

44,380

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$20,875
$30 - $48K
$21,739
$48 - $75K
$23,514
$75 - $110K
$26,053
$110K & UP
$29,966

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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